title: Physical activity level and lifestyle-related risk factors from Catalan physicians.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physicians' own Physical Activity (PA) and other health-related habits influence PA promotion. The current study identifies the PA level, according to the current PA recommendations and other health-related habits of physicians from the Catalan Medical Council.
  
  
  METHODS
  2400 physicians (30-55 years) were randomly selected; each received a self-administered mailed questionnaire identifying medical specialization, work setting, health self-perception, body mass index (BMI), PA, and smoking habits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  762 physicians responded (52% female). Almost 1 in 2 (49.3%) exercised sufficiently, nearly all self-perceived good health, while 80.5% were nonsmokers. Almost 6 in 10 males reported overweight or obesity (56.9%) versus 18.2% of females. Active physicians dominated specific groups: (1) aged 45-55 years, (2) specializing either in primary care or surgery, (3) working in the private sector, (4) BMI < 25 kg/m2, (5) perceiving themselves in good health, or (6) having free leisure time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Only half of Catalan physicians met current PA recommendations; male physicians were particularly at risk for overweight/obesity. Overweight and under-exercise were associated with private workplaces and positive health perceptions, meaning that it is it is now possible to target inactive and/or overweight Catalan physicians in future interventions.
authors.affiliation: PAFES Group, Catalan Sports Council, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Alba
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pardo
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McKenna
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mitjans
authors.forename: Berenguer
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Camps
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aranda-García
authors.forename: Juanjo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garcia-Gil
authors.forename: Mariona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Violan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D010820:Physicians; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012907:Smoking; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires